RETIREMENT FROM WHAT?

If you are like my husband and I, you are continually seeing articles about how babyboomers are going to impact our economy, health care and even the "appearance" of retirement. I too believe that the sheer numbers of babyboomers will have a significant role in the future of retirement and retirement planning. However, I don't believe the doomsayers and their dire predictions of that role. I see that this influx of babyboomers will strengthen and enhance the view of retirement. I have always believed in the "safety in numbers" theory and I think that this is an example of same.

Successful retirement has never been simply a one size fits all picture. We are all unique individuals with our own personal needs and wants. The successful retirement requires each of us to be involved in our own future and to develop our own personal retirement plan, not the one that someone else has for us. Advice is always helpful, especially when it comes to the financial and estate planning. But I urge you to take all advice and make sure that it fits both you needs and wants; not what someone else thinks that you should do.

If you are already retired, we would love to hear your story. Did you retire early? Did you recareer to support your retirement? Did you move to a different community? Your story might be the tip or hint to help someone else move from not retired to retired. Let's start a collection of retirement stories.

If you are not retired but are exploring what you need to be doing, I would encourage you to take a look at an Early Retirement Book which might help you design Your Own Retirement Plan. Check this out: http://www.babyboomersandretirement.com/

RETIRED AND READY TO:________________(Fill in the blank, it's your life.)

HOW LOSING YOUR JOB CAN AFFECT YOUR RETIREMENT.

My husband and I know personally how your retirement can be affected by losing your job. Both he and others we know lost their jobs of many years because of a variety of reasons. Most of which had to do with down-sizing, budgetary cuts and change in management. Regardless of the reason, losing a job not only affects one's retirement but current lifestyle and self esteem. We will deal with those issues at a later time, but wanted to share the following article with you.
I know, just what you need, one more thing to think about in your quest for a successful retirement. But these are the things that everyone must think about when they are designing their retirement plans.

http://www.chicagotribune.com/business/sns-yourmoney-1001journey,1,7896842.story?coll=chi -business-hed

PLAN NOW -- RETIRE EARLY!